Montana Combo Permit / Draw

[HooterShooter]

Ive started building points in Montana with the intent on hunting elk two years from now. When buying points I noticed there is a combo option for Elk/deer.

I'm from Alabama, so I would likely take 2 weeks of vacation and hunt and be done. Probably will try to use a guide option.

My question is, for folks who have bought the combo permit, is it really feasible for an out of state hunter to try to fill both tags in a two week span? Or, is it more of a strategy to have the option in case the opportunity presents for either tag?

I've not done much big game / western hunting yet but I'm trying to get a plan together.

Thanks in advance.

 

[AHayes111]

If you go guided, you are probably, not going on a two week guided hunt. Most outfitted hunts are 5 to 7 days.
Going to cost more, but if you could swing it I would go on two separate outfitted hunts, One with an outfitter that specializes on elk and one for deer.

 

[Silveroddo]

They’re 2 separate hunts in my eyes, there might be an early season option for deer, butvthe real deer hunt doesn’t start till the rut kicks in in my opinion. If elk is your primary goal go for elk, if you go for the combo plan on it being 2 separate hunts unless you have an outfitter that’s telling you he can get you both in one trip.

 

[HooterShooter]

Well, now that y'all explain it, it seems obvious to do it in two separate hunts...thanks!

 

[PST9]

When you say you've started building points, but you plan on hunting in two years, you need to be careful cause "Preference Points" expire if you do not put in for the draw. If you're talking about "Bonus Points," I don't believe you're going to draw a good hunt with just a couple points as a non-resident.

 

[AHayes111]

When you say you've started building points, but you plan on hunting in two years, you need to be careful cause "Preference Points" expire if you do not put in for the draw. If you're talking about "Bonus Points," I don't believe you're going to draw a good hunt with just a couple points as a non-resident.

Good point, To the OP, if you are going with an outfitter there is no reason to build points as outfitter clients start out with two points and you can buy the third when you apply.

 

[Tilzbow]

Good point, To the OP, if you are going with an outfitter there is no reason to build points as outfitter clients start out with two points and you can buy the third when you apply.

Not exactly. Outfitter clients don’t start out with two points with the ability to get to three the first year as implied. The first year you can buy a regular point and an outfitter point, cost is $100 per point, so max the first year would be two points but two points gives a person high odds of drawing. To have the maximum of three points one would need to buy a regular point this year then buy another regular point next year plus the outfitter point.

To the OP, if you didn’t buy a point in the regular draw you can buy a preference point for next year’s draw starting July 1 through December 31. You’ll also need to have your outfitter selected before applying next year since the outfitter’s identification number is required during the application process.

See picture for the full details from the regulations.